Museum dream taking shape in Ballyshannon

21 Jul 2011

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A new Ballyshannon and District museum is to open on a temporary basis, and organisers are hoping to launch it to coincide with the Ballyshannon Folk Festival over the August bank holiday weekend. The overall objective is that with public backing, they will achieve a more long term home for the project.

A new Ballyshannon and District museum is to open on a temporary basis, and organisers are hoping to launch it to coincide with the Ballyshannon Folk Festival over the August bank holiday weekend. The overall objective is that with public backing, they will achieve a more long term home for the project.

According to the organisers who have recently set up their own Facebook page, they plan on opening a museum in the Saimer Court for the month of August on a trail basis.

If this is successful, they say that the museum will open for 3-4 months each summer employing up to 3 people while they also hope that this will bring more tourists into the town.

The organsiers of the initiative are Shane Toolan and Kevin Gallagher.

Shane told the Donegal Democrat: “There are a few factors that we want to build on, not least that Ballyshannon is the oldest town in Ireand. When people come to see the fantastic Rory Gallagher statue on the diamond, we want something tangible that will keep them here in town and what better than a museum to highlight the ancient town’s fantastic hoistory.

“From been the oldest town in Ireland, Ballyshannon is steeped in history, from Parthalon who arrived on our shores in 2700BC to O’Donnell defeating the Queen’s army in 1597 and from poet William Allingham to the legendary Rory Gallagher and everything in between, there is an absolute treasure trove of things that can make it interesting for thousands of tourist to come to this area each year. We have the backing of the local town council and we hope that this project can develop a momentum of its own in the weeks and months ahead,” he said.

The group are now also looking for volunteers who can help out - including those who can convert video to DVD or those who might even have a display case tucked away in some back room.

A fundraising quiz in aid of the musem is to to be held tonight (Thursday) in Sean Ogs, starting at 9.30pm. There will be teams of four with a €20 entry charge, with all proceds going towards the museum.

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